Grant County KY has an Adult obesity rate of 35.6% and a physical activity rate of 30.2%. The Grant County Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) worked together to offer 8 weeks of classes using Weight the Reality Series, Healthy Choices, and Small Steps to Health and Wealth curriculum to help Grant County Adults improve their nutrition and be more active.

The group was encouraged to eat a variety of healthy foods and reduce the intake of unhealthy choices.   During class, participants practiced portion control and food safety while preparing recipes as well as budgeting and meal planning as a group.  In addition to the in person classes, participants also had weekly homework assignments.   These assignments challenged the participants to make healthy choices throughout the week.  These challenges included increasing physical activity in creative ways like taking activity breaks, trying exercises that target specific areas, and trying new activities, as well as making healthier nutritional choices such as eating the recommended amount of a food group, creating daily calorie intake goals, and considering portion sizes.  

Participants were also encouraged to think of their relationship with food, and why they might make unhealthy decisions throughout the week.  This included wrong reasons they would eat, and participants also took a look at environmental triggers that would lead them to eat even when they were not hungry.  This challenged participants to critically think about their habits, and come up with real solutions to change their habits.  One participant found that they would over shop and pick up “junk” when they went to the store.  When asked, what is one thing you changed to prevent environmental changes they responded, “Making sure I eat, even if it is something small, before I go to the store.”

As a result of the program:

• 100% of participants showed improvement in one or more diet quality indicators (i.e., eating fruits, vegetables, red and orange vegetables, dark green vegetables, drinking less regular soda (not diet), drinking less fruit punch, fruit drinks, sweet tea, or sports drinks, and cooking dinner at home).
• 80% of participants showed improvement in one or more physical activity behaviors (i.e., exercising for at least 30 minutes, doing workouts to build and strengthen muscles, or making small changes to be more active).
• 80% of participants showed improvement in one or more food resource management practices (i.e., cook dinner at home, compare food prices, plan meals before shopping, look in refrigerator or cupboard before shopping, or make a list before shopping).